AT first glance, the fact that both the Limerick footballers and hurlers are playing in Thurles on the same day, is a good thing.
On a second look however, the arrangement of the fixtures seems to be the wrong way around.
As it currently stands, the Limerick footballers will kick start the action this coming Saturday at 3pm against Cork. This game is then followed by Cork and Wexford in the hurling qualifiers. So, following that game, all, the Cork fans can head away home.
What about the Limerick fans who want to see both their sides? They have to wait for a 7pm throw in for the hurlers. That is one long day on the terraces.
I asked around this week about why this was the case and was told that TV dictates what is played and where. The obvious solutions were to have Cork play their hurling first, then football, so that both Cork and Limerick fans could have both games beside each other, or for the same result, play the Limerick hurling game first, followed by the football. There are several ways that this Saturday could have been worked, but as usual, the last person on the list to be considered was the fan.
Leaving Limerick just after 12noon on Saturday, arriving home sometime after 10pm (with no extra times) is a huge ask of anyone, especially families.
Taking into account the cost of petrol, tickets, food and more food over the nine hours plus, is something that will make certain fans stay away from the football, or worse still, not go to either.
In a few months time I can imagine someone in Croke Park will be scratching their heads over poor attendances this summer and will blame it on the Euro2016 COYBIG exodus, forgetting that they are alienating the majority of their existing fans, while challenging their future fans (kids) to a weekend of endurance to rival no other. Madness.
